Node.js isWebAssemblyCompiledModule() Method

In this article, we will discuss the Node.js isWebAssemblyCompiledModule() Method with its syntax, features, and an example.

What is the isWebAssemblyCompiledModule() Method?

The util.types module of Node.js contains the isWebAssemblyCompiledModule() method, a tool for determining if a given value is a WebAssembly-built module. WebAssembly compiled modules, which are instances of the WebAssembly. Module classes are essential parts of WebAssembly applications that run high-performance, low-level code on the web or in a Node.js runtime. This technique was created especially to help developers identify similar types of situations and ensure type correctness in their programs.

Syntax:

It has the following syntax.

Parameters:

• util:Debugging, string formatting, and other activities can be accomplished with the help of this built-in util module in Node.js.
• types:An object in the util module called the types property has a number of type-checking functions (such as isArray(), isBuffer(), isDate(), etc.) that aid in identifying the type of a certain value.
• isWebAssemblyCompiledModule(value):This function within the types object determines whether the value supplied is a module that has been compiled by WebAssembly. If a WebAssembly compiled module is the value, it returns true; if not, it returns false.
• value:It was supplied to the function isWebAssemblyCompiledModule(). If the value is a WebAssembly compiled module, we want to verify it.

Features of isWebAssemblyCompiledModule():

Several key features of isWebAssemblyCompiledModule()are as follows:

1. Type Checking: In order to find out if the value is a compiled WebAssembly module, the method verifies its type. Compiling the WebAssembly binary with WebAssembly results in the creation of WebAssembly modules.compile().
2. Returns Boolean: In the event that the value is a compiled WebAssembly module, it returns true; otherwise, it returns false. This makes it easier to make sure the value supplied is suitable for WebAssembly-specific operations.
3. Part of Node.js's util.types API:This feature is part of the util.types namespace, which offers type-checking tools to developers using Node.js to work with JavaScript objects and values.
4. Strict Type Checking:Instead of using the raw binary or the WebAssembly instance, the method looks for the particular type of WebAssembly module. It ensures stringent type checking in situations where we need to verify the WebAssembly data structure's nature.
5. Useful for WebAssembly Integration:Applications that dynamically create, load, or import WebAssembly modules benefit from it the most. Before running or interacting with the WebAssembly module further in our application, it allows us to verify that it has been appropriately compiled.

Example:

Let us take an example to illustrate the Node.js isWebAssemblyCompiledModule() Method.

Output:

 
Converting WAT to WASM...
This is a valid WebAssembly compiled module.
Result from WebAssembly 'add' function: 30   

Explanation:

This Node.js script demonstrates all the compilation, validation, instantiation, and execution of a WebAssembly module. It begins with the definition of a basic WebAssembly text format (WAT) and a method for adding two numbers. The function convertWATToWASM uses WebAssembly.compile() function to compile the WAT into a binary WebAssembly (WASM) module. The checkIfWASMModule function checks the validity of the built module using util.types.isWebAssemblyCompiledModule() function. Once the module's validity has been confirmed, instantiateAndRunWASM instantiates the module, provides two numbers to the exported add method, and reports its result. By carrying out the conversion, validation, and execution processes one after the other, the main function connects everything. This script is a useful example of using WebAssembly in Node.js application development.